(Photo Credit: Owen Ela)
Singer-songwriter Father John Misty performed live cover of “Closer” on Thursday night at a show in Chicago. He prefaced the performance with calling the cut his “favorite love song”.
The track originally appeared on Trent Reznor’s brainchild, Nine Inch Nails’ 1994 breakthrough LP, The Downward Spiral. The album’s industrial sound, introspective lyrics, and cold, entrancing demeanor has led many to consider it one of the best albums of that decade, as well as one of Reznor’s masterworks.
Check out the live cover below:
As for Father John Misty, he’s been on tear since the arrival of his acclaimed 2015 LP, I Love You, Honeybear. Between collaborations, many live shows and numerous impending festival appearances, he has been on of the bigger names in Indie music over the past year or so. Until a new studio album is released, interesting live nuggets like the “Closer” cover should keep fans satisfied.
This also isn’t the first time a track from The Downward Spiral has been covered. Perhaps most notably was Johnny Cash’s now renowned performance of the song “Hurt”, which appeared on his American IV: The Man Comes Around album. Released in 2002 near the end of Cash’s life, the lyrics and instrumental fit his seasoned voice perfectly, showing that Reznor’s music is applicable to different kinds of performers.
More covers and live performance could be on the way from Father John Misty, which as mentioned should serve as a suitable stopgap until a new record is announced. By itself, it’s a testament to Reznor’s ability as a songwriter, and further exhibits how wide-reaching his influence is on modern artists.
Leave a Comment